What Are The Side Effects of CBD?
A rising star in the wellness world for the last few years, CBD is set to sky-rocket in 2020. With gym-users hoping for stronger recovery, people looking for natural pain relief, and everyone in-between searching for better sleep, it’s important to understand the side effects of CBD on our body.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a completely non-psychoactive extract of the cannabis plant, one of over 100 natural components, filtered to remove 100% of the THC content. This cannabinoid reacts with our body's endocannabinoid system to give users the benefits without the unwanted ‘high’.
The endocannabinoid system is found in our body, helping regulate a wide range of cognitive and physiological processes. Although extremely complex, scientists have proven these include mood, appetite, sleep, and pain – essentially keeping our body balanced and functioning properly.
Within the endocannabinoid system is a network of cannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system. Phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant) such as CBD and THC, also naturally attach to these cells in a similar way and have various effects.
So with CBD being an all-natural product, and reacting with the body in an entirely natural way, surely you can use any CBD product to get the health benefits? Wrong. When it comes to quality and safety, not all CBD products were created equal.
Choose quality
Issues arise not only CBD is mixed with other oils, fillers and weak ingredients as the product is created, but also when the CBD extracted from the plant itself is of poor quality, too. This is true whether it’s found in tincture, edible or balm form.
With no strict product guidelines set by governing bodies, many new products are entering the market without the proper checks usually associated with items sold for nutritional and/or medicinal use. To keep your body safe, as well as to make sure you actually receive the natural benefits you’re looking for, it’s important to only ever buy from a credible CBD brand that guarantees the highest industry standards.
Put simply, do your research. Don’t be suckered in by bold claims and unbacked selling points, instead be on the lookout for essential lab approval certifications and details of third-party testing. Confirming essential quality and safety gives you that extra peace of mind when it comes to using a health-related product on a regular basis, including CBD.
CBD side effects
The human body is a complex mix of processes and functions. So whenever you introduce it to something new, whether natural or not, it can produce a number of side effects. However this doesn’t mean they are always unwanted or harmful.
In a recent study, Jarai et al. discovered that CBD causes vasorelaxation. This is when the vascular walls of the circulatory system become relaxed, reducing blood pressure. Although useful if you suffer from high blood pressure, vasorelaxation will occur regardless, and is therefore a side effect of CBD usage. This means taking CBD regularly could inadvertently help everyday blood flow by relaxing your arteries and veins. While not harmful, and even beneficial, it is important to be aware of if you have an existing condition that causes low blood pressure.
Aside from this main side effect, there are also reports of dry mouth, nausea and diarrhea, however these are unconfirmed - most likely linked to inferior CBD products. Once again, doing your research is a way to avoid any issues or irritants from regular use.
Also, before you start taking CBD, it’s recommended that you speak to your doctor. They will be able to guide you with an understanding of any previous medical conditions you. This is especially true if you are currently on any long-term medication. CBD has been found to potentially affect the strength of certain types of prescribed drugs, so it’s vital to confirm this before taking it in any form.
Is CBD safe?
From providing a natural alternative for pain relief to supporting individuals with stress and anxiety issues, in-depth research on the ranging health benefits of CBD is well underway. And although the effects on a long-term user are still being studied, CBD is considered safe to take every day with no problematic side effects reported. Just be sure to check for certified ingredient lists and evidence of third-party testing to provide your body with the most natural, effective, and safest CBD
Sources:
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579247/
2) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
3) https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476